Device for fountain pens and tubes



(No Model.) 2 Sheets- Sheet 1, R. 0. RUTHERFORD & P. s. BARTRAM. FILLING DEVICE FOR FOUNTAIN PENS AND TUBES.

No 378,524 -Patented Feb. 2%1888.

2T R A DD S & D R O R E H ,T U R 0 FILLING DEVICE FOR FOUNTAIN PENS AND TUBES. No. 378,524.

Patented Feb. 28, 1888.

//I/ VE/V T0198 z ywzzg WITNESSES." 624M ATTORNEY,

F ATENT rrree.

REUBEN C. RUTHERFORD AND FERDINAND S. BARTRAM, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FlLLiNG DEVICE FOR FOUNTAIN PENS OR TUBES.

I SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 378.524, dated February 28, 1888.

Application filed April 29, 1887. Serial No. 236,580.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, REUBEN G. RUTHER- FORD and FERDINAND S. BARTRAM, citizens of the United States, and residents of 120 William street, New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Filling Devices for Fountain Pens or Tubes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is practically applicable to all forms or varieties of fountain pens or tubes used for these or other purposes which require to be charged or supplied partially or completely with any fluids that are to be kept,dispensed,used, retained, or discharged gradually, instantly, or at intermittent periods in larger or less quantity, as circumstances may require.

It is well known that all or nearly all fountainpens require in service the accompaniment of a glass or rubber filler or dropper a separate, delicate, inconvenient, and otherwise objectionable instrument-which must be employed to supply them with ink as often as the pen-reservoir is exhausted.

\Ve have provided a device which dispenses with this imperfect, annoying, and uncleanly article and enables the writer to utilize his case or pen-holder for this purpose, which is novel, simple, and effective, thus making it possible and practicable for the user of any fountain-pen to which our invention is attached or applied to charge, discharge, and refill the same instantly wherever he may chance to be, or wherever ink in fluid form in bottles or vessels may be found or produced.

It is difficult in practice to ascertain the precise volume of ink within or to determine with any approach to accuracy the proper quantity that may be injected into a rubber pen case or reservoir by the old-fashioned methods,except by repeating the process until overflow occurs, as itisalmost certain to do,and the hands and paper are soiled as the consequence. Our invention disposes of and obviates these and other objections and renders the act or operation of refilling atube certain, cleanly, and almost instantaneous.

The accompanying drawings, comprising fourteen different figures or diagrams, belong to and are made a part of this specification, and represent what we consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

(N0 model.)

ing point or feed-bar or feed-tube herein de- I scribed, as the invention is applicable to any or all forms or varieties that may be devised. Fig. 2 shows the same construction of filling device after theprocess of filling has been completed and the pen is ready for service. Fig. 3 represents a slightly-modified form of the stop and cap-top,'which may be adapted to stylographic pens or to those represented in Figs. 1 and 2, as well as to the other figures in the drawings submitted. Fig. 4 shows another form-a floating globular stopadaptable to either of the several forms herein described, and represescnts the tube filled, showing the position of the globe with reference to the ink and tubular screw or plug when about to be closed. Fig. 5 represents a floating balloon-shaped stop and its position in theink, which is partially exhausted from the tube. Fig. 6 is a globular floating stop with a sectional cross-bar, V, or perforated wall, which may be fixed within the tube to prevent the stop from dropping out when the pen and feeder are removed. Fig. 7 represents a caged double-pointed globe-stop within the case and a floating tablet or disk shaped stop, F, which operates the former, as will be hereinafter dcscribed. Fig. 8 shows a globular body form of stop with a stem projecting from and attached to it; said stem also acting as an upward stop, in combination with the globe. This may be used in its present or reversed position in the other tubes herein described. Fig. 9 represents a globular form of stop with a spine attached, which is the reverse of Fig. 8, and is held in position by a bracket, K, which may be attached to or hinged upon either side of theinner surface of the tube. This tube is provided with a modified form of cap, which may be operated and adjusted by a screwthread or by friction, and showsa rubber cushion or cork top, that may be provided to secure the closing of the perforation in the tube with greater security. Fig. 10 shows a doublepointed globestop having a cap upon the tube similar to Fig. 9, but operated only byfriction. The tube also contains a floating stop of disk form, the operation of which will be hereinafter described. Fig. 11 is the cap or cover which protects the pen, and may be placed upon the upper end of the tube to lengthen the case when the pen is in action. Fig. 12 represents the cylinder or cage, showing its perforations and containing a globular form of stop, which may be used in lieu of the ovoid conformation shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 13 shows a birdseye view of a floating disk-shaped stop, which may be adapted to operate within the cylinder separately or below or above the same, in combination with the other forms herein described. Fig. 14. is a lateral representation of the same, which may be constructed of any required length or circumference.

Similar letters of reference alsoindicate corresponding parts in all the figures where they occur.

A is the case or tube; B, the feed-bar or feed-tube for supplying ink from the reservoir or tube to the pen; D, the pen; 0, the cover; E, the frame, cage, or cylinder containing the stop; F, the stop; G, the sliding or screw cap; H, the perforation in the lateral surface of the screw or plug and communicating with the longitudinal perforation in the same.

Referring to the construction, F, Fig. 1, is a movable stop, of ovoid form, being elongated or partially or entirely pointed at the poles, which may be constructed of glass, cork,wood, rubber, or any suitable material, and having an automatic longitudinal and slightlylateral movement, and resting loosely upon its poles within the chamber, cage, or cylinder E, which poles may proj ect somewhat beyond or through the perforations at the top and bottom of the cylinder or cage. This cylinder may be con structed of hard or soft rubber or any suitable material, and inserted within or be made integrally with the case or tube forming the perforations in the top and bottom heads or disks of sufficient diameter to permit the air and ink or fluids to pass into and through it around the poles and body of the stop F when remainingin the position shownin Fig.1. The form of these perforations should, preferably, conform to or correspond with the outlines or angles of the poles of thestop F, so that when its position is changed by a proper or sufficient influx or efflux of air and fluids it will perform the office of a stop to the further admission of air or fluids operating in both directions, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

G is a tubular stem, of wood, hard rubber, or other analogous substance, having preferably a screw-thread cut upon its outer surface corresponding to and movingwithin a threaded orifice at the upper extremity of the tube, as shown in-Fig. 1. It is provided with a head, by which it may be moved inwardly or outwardly, as occasion may require.

H is a small lateral perforation in this stem communicating with the longitudinal bore of the same. The head of this tubular screw is has closed the perforation in the lower head of I the cylinder E, partly by gravity and positively by the downward pressure of the screw G uponand around the upper pole of the stop F, with which it forms a close-fitting connection, thus producing a triple combination for the effectual closing of the upper end of the tube. Still the automatic action of the stop alone will close it for ordinary purposes, as will be hereinafter described.

In Fig. 3 a modified form of stop is adapted to cases used for stylographic pens or points whenever the tube requires ventilation at the top while in action. The stop is of more globular form, having but one pole, which may be ,used, however, in Fig. 1 in its normal or reversed position with equal effect. In this figure (3) the lower head of the cylinder is provided with two perforations, through which the ink rises and floats the stop against the upper head of this cylinder and closes the tube by upward action only. The orifice in the tube in this figure is shown at x, and is opened or closed by means of the sliding cap G.

The construction of Fig. 4 differs from the preceding ones in dispensing with the cylinder or cage E and substituting a globular floating stop which operates perfectly under ordinary conditions.

In Fig. 5 we provide a balloon-shaped stop to produce the same results.

Fig. 6 shows a construction in which nearly the entire capacity of the reservoir or tube may be utilized, a tubular stem being affixed to the upper extremity of the case and provided with a tightly fitting or closing screw or sliding cap, as may be preferred. WVe also provide asingle perforated disk, (shown at N1 which may be constructed within the tube or adjusted below the stop to close by contact with the ball or stop, and which also prevents the same from dropping out.

The construction of Fig. 7 represents astop and cylinder similar to those of Figs. 1 and 2, the stop being somewhat more globular in form, and being and acting in combination with a floating disk-shaped stop, (shown at F,) which rises with the fluid until it comes in contact with and raises the caged stop F, closing the upper perforation, and also the lower one by contact with the lower surface of the cylinder, forming a most effective device for this purpose. The perforation in the tube is shown upon one side of the solid screw-stem, and is closed by the cap G when turned down to its seat upon the outer extremity of the tube.

IIO

In Fig. 8 we have provided a globular form with a stem attached, having a stop projecting at right angles with its lower terminus, and designed to move through a disk having a single perforation and acting as a stop in both directions. This form may also be reversed with good results.

The construction of Fig. 9 shows a globular form with a spiral attachment pending downward through a rest or bracket attached to or hinged upon one side of the inner surface of the tube,which prevents it from dropping out. The tubular top of the case is closed by a cap, G, having a rubber or cork packing or cushion. (Seen at *J' The construction of Fig. 10 shows a similar cap with two separate perforated disks, which may be adjusted at any required distance apart, and may'also be operated by a floating disk-stop, F, having a flat or oval surface,and acted upon by air and fluids in the same manner as shown in Fig. 7.

The operation of charging or filling the tube may be described as follows: Reverse the screw-cap G from the position shown in Fig. 2 until the perforation of the screw at H becomes apparent, as seen in Fig. 1. Place the opposite end in a Vessel of ink or fluid sufficiently to immerse the opening. Place the lips over the perforation H and exhaust the air by suction. As the airis exhausting, the fluid rushes upward, replacing the vacuum floating the stop and carrying it upward against the perforation in the upper head-of the cylinder, closes it to the further passage of the fluid into the chamber above the cylinder, and prevents it from reaching the lips or mouth. A dis tinct sensation is felt when the stop strikes the upper perforated head of the cylinder, which evidences that the tube is filled to this point. As the lips are withdrawn, the stop, by gravity and the refluent tendency of the ink or fluid, drops to the lower perforation in the cylinder and closes this in like manner. Then the cap may be screwed down, and the pen or tube is ready for service. The entire operation is al most instantaneous.

It is evident that many modifications may be made without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of this invention. Therefore we do not desire to limit ourselves to the precise or rigid construction of the few forms herein described. The conformation and construction of the tubes, stops, cages, cylinders, screw, and sliding caps and ventilators may be varied. We may dispense with the two-pointed stop in Fig. 1 and substitute any of those in the other tubes or any modificati ons of the same. WVe may transpose, invert, or combine any of the globes, balls, or stops named herein, adopting other forms of stops, which may be spheroids, oblate, or prolate, ellipses, concaved, or convexed. We may opcrate the screw-caps in the figures where they occur by friction only, or adapt screws to the friction-caps herein described. In Fig. l we may tip the lower part of the tubular screw with soft rubber to form a more positive or more perfect fitting seat, and this may be adapted to the other forms also.

We may construct the stops of hollow material partially or entirely, or in any manner to adapt them more perfectly to the purposes expressed, and to raise or float the upper portion of them, as far as may be desirable, above the surface of thefluid to preclude the liability or possibility of the liquid from contact with the mouth under normal or abnormal conditions. WVe may also use the floating stops within or above the cage or cylinder when practicable, and arrange and combine them all so as to form single, double, or triple stops in either or both directions. The various forms of stops may also be used with or without the tubular screw or sliding or friction caps Gdescribed, and the cylinder perforations may be of any shape to conform to the poles employed.

We claim as our invention- 1. In a fountain pen or tube, a self-filling device consisting of a cylinder having perforated heads adjusted within the tube or case, in combination with a movable stop of ovoid conformation within said cylinder, said stop being provided with poles sufficiently elongated to project through said perforations, and around which poles air and ink or fluids may pass to operate to open or to close either of said perforations by the automatic action of said stop, produced by contact with or displacement of air and ink or fluids within said tube, substantially as in the manner hereinbefore described, and for the purposes specified.

2. In a fountain pen or tube, a self filling, retaining, and dispensing device for fluids, consisting of a cylinder having perforated upper and lower heads adjusted within the tube and incasing a movable stop of globular, oval, or other suitable or variable body or form, from which extend in opposite direc tions two arms or poles sufficiently elongated to project through said perforations, and around and between which poles and perforations air and fluids may pass above or below said cylinder,and may be restricted and excluded from further passage by the automatic reciprocating movement of said stop within the cylinder when operated by the filling of said tube by immersion or by exhausting the air therefrom.

3. In a tube, a floating stop partially immersed and moved by the fluid, in combination with a tubular opening and closing screw or plug at its upper end, having its lower orifice conformed to the periphery of the stop at their points of contact for the purpose of closing the upper extremity of the tube and preventing the fluid from rising above the upper surface of the stop when being charged or filled by immersion or suction, and constructed substantially as hereinbefore described.

4. In a fountain pen or tube having a perforated. top or cap, one or more perforated disks adjusted within the tube, in combination with one or more floating stops below,

above, orbetween said disks, all jointly or Signed at New York city, in the county of IO separately operating in the manner described, New York and State of New York, this 28th and for the purposes specified. day of April, A. D. 1887.

5. A fountainpen consisting of a tube, a REUBEN G RUTHERFORD f, in combination with the tubular screw g,

for the purposes declared, all constructed and WVitnesses:

arranged for joint operation substantially as CHAS. B. BARTRAM, hereinbefore described. J. WREATH.

5 pen, (1, feed-bar b, cage 6, containing the stop FERDINAND S BARTRAM 

